Here are some facts you need to know as we observe World Hunger Day on 28 May 2022.

World hunger

World hunger refers to pockets of the human population who regularly do not get enough food to eat.

Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

World hunger is on the rise

It is estimated that up to 811 million people go hungry every day. If it continues at this rate, it’ll exceed 840 million by 2030. 48.9 million people are facing emergency levels of hunger.

Malnutrition is on the rise

21.3% of children under 5 are stunted.

6.9% of children under 5 are affected by wasting.

Causes of hunger

Conflict: 60% of the world’s hungry people live in zones affected by conflict, which is the main driver of hunger crises (as in the case of Yemen, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Syria).

Climate change: Climate change-related shocks such as floods or drought affect the lives and livelihoods of millions of people, aggravating poverty, hunger and social tensions.

Inequality: Inequality drives hunger by limiting people's opportunities and increasing levels of hunger.

Food loss: Poor storage facilities in farms lead to pest infestations and mould ruining crops. Lack of access to technology and markets means many farmers are forced to watch their crops rot in fields as the labour and financial investment required to harvest them is often unavailable.

On World Hunger Day, we should be thinking about the millions of people who are hungry right now, and we should stand together with them to help realise one of the most basic human rights, the right to food.

There are many organisations that are working towards SDG 2: Zero Hunger, including the World Food Programme, UNICEF, Action Against Hunger, and the Food and Agriculture Organization. You can check out some ways in which you can help end hunger here.